Ask Miss Liberty, Address Ellis Island

Immigration policy is something that the US seems to be unable to execute on and something that everyone has an opinion on irrespective of their knowledge base. It is a political football in the hands of those who, for political or other reasons wish to exploit the issue. As a legal immigrant myself, the just solution in my mind is not as complicated as it is represented. The Senate in 2013 passed bipartisan legislation 68 to 32 that addressed immigration reform in a meaningful and fair way. Unfortunately it stalled in the House primarily because of partisan related barriers. There are some realities associated with Immigration reform that cannot be ignored:

1. Undocumented individuals and families already here should have a pathway to citizenship that is fair and absent of bias or punitive measures.

2. Border enforcement should employ a combination of technology, boots on the ground and do a better job of implementing and following through on immigration policies already in place.

3. Our immigration policy should be supportive of those individuals and families entering the US legally by establishing consistent criteria for citizenship.

4. Our Immigration policy must be governed by humanitarian considerations such as not separating families.

Doing so is cruel and hypocritical of a nation that is founded on democratic and christian principles. I know firsthand the negative long term consequences of separating families. As an aside, I find it ironic that among hardliners on immigration are some who don't think twice about hiring undocumented housekeepers, landscape laborers, masons, nannies, the list goes on. And to those who argue that immigration, unchecked or otherwise brings criminal activity to the US, we know from multiple sources that such claims are greatly exaggerated. In my opinion, a fair and just Immigration policy should not be driven by political, religious or racial concerns. It should be driven by what is just, moral and equitable.